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A meet and greet for Coach Dru Emerson and Coach Justin Lowery is Saturday, May 18 at Hometown Hangout. The event is 4:30-6 p.m. at the Hangout, adjacent to Gary Simmons Automotive. It is a come-and-go event.
Emerson is the new head coach of the MHS Lady Rebels basketball team and Justin Lowery is the new head coach of the McKenzie Rebels basketball team. Both are filling the head coaching role of John Wilkins, who accepted a coaching position in Brentwood.
Coach Lowery is joining the Rebels staff from Gibson Co. High School, where he has been head coach for the Pioneers basketball team since 2012. Coach Lowery holds several accolades from his time at Gibson Co. High, including being the winningest boys’ basketball coach in Gibson Co. history. In the 2021-2022 season, the Pioneers first appeared in the sub-state in over 30 years. The following season, the Pioneers basketball team won their first-ever region title and made a back-to-back sub-state appearance. Lowery was chosen as the District 12AA Coach of the Year in 2023, and was chosen to coach the 2024 BCAT All-Star team. Prior to coaching the Pioneers team, Lowery also coached at Medina Middle and Dyer Middle. During his tenure, Lowery has also coached tennis, cross country, golf, and volleyball. As a player at Bradford High School, Lowery demonstrated his abilities on the court and has since been inducted into the Gibson Co. Sports Hall of Fame.
Last year, Emerson served as the assistant coach of the Lady Rebels under head coach John Wilkins. Emerson was head varsity boys coach at Carroll Academy from 2020-2023 and was a 2020 TSSAA A.F. Bridges Divisional Finalist.
In the 2018-2019 season, Emerson assisted at Crestview H.S. (Florida) and helped CHS win the 2019 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship. Emerson was an assistant at Bob Jones H.S. (Alabama) from 2006-2011 and helped lead the Patriots to an AHSAA Class 6A State Championship in 2010. Emerson was the interim head varsity boys coach in the 2005-2006 season for the Henry Co. H.S. Patriots. Emerson started his coaching career at Hazel Green H.S. (Alabama) in 2003, assisting the varsity boys team before moving up to the head freshman boys coach for the 2004-2005 season.
MHS Guidance Counselor Ashley Lowe returns as assistant girls’ coach. She will continue as the school’s counselor.
